Clay-cleaning method and machine



May 25 1926.

C. L. CRABB CLAY CLEANING- METHOD AND MACHINE Filed May 19 IN1/Enron Charles L. Cra

Patented May 25, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

CHARLES L. CRABB, OF CLAYBURN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO AUGUSTUS J. BRUNSON, OF NORTH'. PLAINFIELD BOROUGH, NEW JERSEY.

CLAY-CLEANING METHOD AND MACHINE.

Application filed May 19, 1925.-

My invention relates to methods and machinery for separating stones, roots and other foreign substances from clay, and provides a means of effecting the separation from clay that is in .a plastic condition. To this end I provide means for taking thin shavings off a mass of plastic clay, the thickness of the shavings being less than the thickness of any foreign substances which it is desired to separate from the clay, and the non-plastic foreign substanc-es being forced back into the mass of clay. As the shaving process continues, the residue, consisting almost entirely of foreign substances,

is discharged from the machine, while the shavings of clean clay may be collected and discharged from another part of the machine. v v

I am aware that screens have been used for screening out foreign substances from It is an object of my invention to provide a machine in `which there will be no clogging, and to this end I furnish means for continually clearing away the foreign substances which may lodg-e against the shaving tools and forcing said substances back into the mass of plastic material.

Another object of my invention is to provide for regulating the thickness of the shavings ,by adjustment of the shaving tools, thereby also compensating for wear.

A still further object of my inventionis to provide a mechanism which may be conveniently attached to an auger mill or pug mill for cleaning the mass of clay as it issues from the mill.

lVith these and other objects in View, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

Serial No. 31,414.

In the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 represents .a vertical longitudinal section of my *clay cleaning machine at 'tachcd to the end of a pug mill, only a fragment of the latter being shown; and

Fig. 2 is a plan view of one of my cutting tools as viewed from the cutting edge, certain parts'being broken away.

My cleaning machine may be attached to a vertical as Well as to a horizontal pug mill, but in Fig. 1 I have illustrated it as being attached to a pug mill of the horizontal type, thel pug mill being I:indicated by the reference numeral 10.

The pugmill is provided with the usual propeller shaft 11 and propeller 12 which serves to force the clay out of the mill. The discharge end of the mill is provided with the usual head plate 13 having a large cenn tral opening therein through which the clay issues. The outer face of head 13 is recessed to receive .an annularV end plate 14. Between plate 14; and an outer annular end plate 15, are a series of annular cutters 16. Clamping bolts 17 having their heads engaged in undercut slots 18 in the head 13, pass through .openings in the plates 14 .and 15, and by tightening nuts 19 on these bolts, the Vend plates and the series of cutters are clamped to the pug mill. Tubular spacers 20 are fitted over the bolts 17. Each spacer 2O consists of two sections provided, respectively, with right and left hand threads at their adjacent ends to receive a coupling sleeve 21 which may be adjusted to force the spacers tightly against the opposite faces of the end plates 14 and l5.

Each cutter 16 has a forwardly-facing annular cutting edge formed between the inner cylindrical face 22 of the cutter and a sharply tapered end `face 23. At the opposite end the inner face of the cutter. is formed with an outwardly tapered wall 24 which meets an annular step 25 formed in the end of the cutter. The space between wall 24 and the wall 23 of the next adjacent cutter. determines the thickness of the shaving. On the tapered face 23 of each cutter,

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lugs 26 are formed, which are stepped to engage the stepped end 25 of the next adjacent cutter. Proceeding from right to left it will be observed that the cutters 16 are progressively smaller in diameter so that the space within the cutters forms a stepped cone with its base at the inner end plate 14:. The outer face of end plate 14: is formed with an annular flange 27 which is shaped like. therearends of the cutters 16 with a tapered inner: face24 and stepped .end 25, while the end plate 15 is formed with an inwardly projecting flange 28 tapered to provide a cutting edge similar to that of the cutters 16 and is provided with stepped lugs 26 to engage the stepped end of the rearinost cutter 16.

Projecting radially from each cutter are lugs 29 and 30, lugs 29 being formed with threaded apertures to receive adjusting screws 31; kPreferably there are three adjusting screws for each cutter to provide a three point support, so that by adjusting.

screws 31 of one cutter to bear against the lugs 30 of the next adjacent cutter', the space between cutters may be adjusted to vary the thickness of the shavings. The fiange 27 of end plate llis also provided with lugs 29 to permit of adjusting the first` of the cutters, while the last or smallest cutter is adjusted by screws 31 passing through threaded apertures in plate 15. rlthe lugs 29and 30 are arranged in staggered positions so thatthe adjusting screws of one cutter will not interfere with the adjusting screws of the next adjacent cutter. be understood of course that in making the adjustment, the clamping nuts 19 must be loosened and, after'tlie cutters have been adjusted to the proper degree, the nuts are tightened upon the bolts and the couplings 21 are'then turned to expand thespacers 2O until they bear tightly against end plates 14 and 15. rlhe side faces 26rof lugs 26 bear against the inner faces of the steps 25k and serve to hold the cutters in the proper alignment. y

1Within the series of cutters there is a shaft S32 provided with tools 33 which are preferably bars of steel of rectangular cross section with arcuate ends 34C and adapted to sweep the inner periphery of each cutter 16 immediately in front of the cutting edge of the next cutter. Each tool is notched'lat the end to clear the cutting edge of the next adjacent cutter. These tools serve to sweep away any foreign substances that might lodge against the cutting edges. The tools 33 are preferably arranged in staggered re- 1ation, as Vshown in the drawing.

A bracket 35 may be either secured to the end plate 15 or formed integrally therewith, as indicated in the drawing, to' furnish a bearing for the shaft 32. At' the opposite end the shaft 32 is formed with a square 1t will clean clay being taken off the mass.

shank 36 adapted to enter a square socket in a connecting member 37 which, in turn, is provided with a square shank 38 adapted to enter a square socket formed in the propeller 12. The purpose of this connection is to allow a certain amount of variation in alignmentA between shaft 32 and shaft 11. The prop ller shaft of'a pug mill is apt to whip considerably and by allowing a certain amount of loojseness between ishank 8O and its socket andbetween shankl 3S anditssocket the shaft will not be affected by the whip of shaft. llbut willfrotaie on its own axis as guided by the tools 33 and the outer bearing in bracket'-. It will be understood of course that I do not limit myself to the precise form of coupling shown in the drawing.

In operationl as the mass of'plastic clay is forced out of the pug'millby the propeller 12, it encounters the cuttingedge of the first cutter 16 and a thin annular shaving is shaved off by the cutter. Any stones or other non-plastic foreignl substances that strike the cutting edge will be forcedfback into the mass of clay if vthey are too large to pass through the space between the cutter and the wall 24 of end'plate 14.y As the mass of clay advances toward the cutter itis revolved by the action of the propeller 12 and also by the action of tools 33. The tools scrape the cutters clear of any substances that cannot pass through the opening between the walls 23 and 24. As the mass of clay proceeds it encounters the next cutter 16 which is of slightly smaller diameter andthe same processis here repeated, a thin shaving of r1`hus the process continues until finally the last cutting yedge is encountered, namely the one formed on the end plate-15. As the foreign substances are constantly being forced lback into the clay, there is an increasing accumulation of these substances until at this point practically all of the clay has been removed from the mass and the residue issuing through the opening 39 in plate 15 is'composed chiefly of stones, sticks, rootsy and other undesirable elements. The shavings that are continuously issuing from each cutter are caught by a casing 40 which is fitted about the cleaning mechanism and pass out by gravity'vthrough a port 41 at the bottom of the casing.

TWhile I have described my machine as being att-ached to a pug mill, it will be evident that it could be made a completelmachine in itself, the plate 13 being attached to a hopper from which clay is forced into the cleaning mechanism by a. propeller similar to that of a pug mill and driven from any suitable source of power.

Numerous slightchanges and alterations may be made in the general form and `arrangement of the parts described without departing from the spirit of my invention, and hence I do not Wish to limit myself to the precise details set forth, but shall consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fall fairly within the scope of-the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A method of obtaining clean clay from a mass of clay containing foreign particles which consists in shaving from the mass cuttings that are thinner than the largest foreign particle permissible in the clean clay, and simultaneously clearing the cutting edge of the shaving means to prevent clogging thereof. f

9.. A method of obtaining clean clay from a mass of clay containing foreign particles which consists in forcing the mass against a fixed cutter adjusted to shave off a cutting of less thickness than the largest particle permissible in the clean clay, and clearing the cutter of such foreig'n particles during the shaving process to preventv clogging thereof.

3. A method of obtaining clean clay from a mass of clay containing foreign particles which consists in (l) forming said mass into a cylinder, (2) continuously removing cylindrical cuttings from the mass, each cutting being thinner than the smallest particle permissible in the clean clay, (3) collecting the cuttings, and (4) discharging the resid umn.y

fle. A method of obtaining clean clay `from a mass of clay containing foreign particles which consists in forcing said mass against a series of cutters adjusted to remove cuttings that are of less thickness than the largest particle permissible in the clean clay, forcing such of said particles as lodge against the cutters back into the mass, and collecting the cuttings.

5. In a machine for obtaining clean clay from a mass of clay containing foreign particles, a fixed cut-ter adapted to shave from the mass a cutting that is thinner than the largest particle permissible in the clean clay, means for forcing the mass of clay angularly against said cutter, andmeans for forcing back into the mass foreign particles that lodge against the cutter.

6. In a machine for obtaining clean clay from a mass of clay containing foreign particles, a fixed cutter adapted to shave from the mass a cutting that is thinner than the largest particle permissible in the clean clay, means for forcing the mass of clay against said cutter, and means for wiping the cutting edge of the cutter clear of foreign particles that may lodge thereon during the shaving process.

7. In a machine for obtaining clean clay from a mass of clay containing foreign particles, a plurality of cutters adapted to shave from the mass cuttings that are thinner than the largest particles permissible in the clean clay, means for forcing the mass of clayangularly against the cutters, and means for clearingr the cutters of foreign particles that may lodge thereon.

8. In a. machine for obtaining clean cla)` from a mass of clay containing foreign particles, a plurality of fixed cutters, means for forcing the mass of clay against said cutters, means for simultaneously edecting an angular movement of the clay with respect to the cutters and cleaning the cutters of any particles that might lodge thereon, the cutters being adapted to shave from the mass cuttings that are thinner than t-he largest particle that is permissible in the clean clay.

9. A machine for obtaining clean clay from a mass of clay containing foreign particles which comprises a series of annular cutters, means for forcing the mass through said annular series and into engagement with said cutters, and means for wiping the cutters clear of foreign particles that might lodge thereon.

l0. A machine for obtaining clean clay from a mass of clay containing foreign particles which comprises a plurality of -annular cutters, means for forcing the mass through said annular series and into engagement with said cutters, means for wiping the cutters clear of foreign particles that might lodge thereon, and meansr for varying the thickness of the shavings removed by the cutters from the mass.

l1. A machine for obtaining clean clay from a mass of clay containing foreign particles which comprises a stepped series of annular shaving tools, means for forcing the mass through saidv series and into engagement with said tools, and means for collecting the cuttings that issue from the cutters.

12. A machine for obtaining clean clay from a massof clay containing foreign particles which comprises a stepped series of annular cutters, means for forcing the mass through said series and into engagement with said cutters, means for collecting the cuttings that issue radially from the cutters, and means for effecting a spiral movement of the mass against the cutters.

13. A machine for obtaining clean clay from a mass of-clay containing foreign particles which comprises a conical series of annular cutters having clearance spaces therebetween narrower than the thickness of the largest particle permissible in th-e clean clay, means for forcing the mass of clay through the cutters, and means for individually adjusting the space between cutters to vary the thickness of the cuttings. i

14. A machine f r obtaining clean clay from a mass of clay containing foreign particles which comprises a'stepped series of annular cutters, means for forcing the mass through said series and into engagement with said cutters, meansfor collecting the cuttingsy that issue from the cutters,` andA means for. effecting .a spiral movement ofthe mass. againstl the cutters and simultaneously clearing the cutters of foreign particles which mayY lodge thereon.

15. ln a machine for obtaining clean clay from a mass of clay containing foreign par tic-les, aA plurality of fixed annular cutters,4

issue, said openings being narrower than theA thickness of the largest particle permissible in the clean clay.

1G. ln a machine for obtaining clean clay from amass ofclajy containing foreign particles, a plurality of .fixed annular cutters, means for moving the mass'of clay axially through the cutters, the cutt rs being of progressively smaller diameter from the inlet to the discharge end, means for spacing the cutters one from another to provide open-v ings through which the cuttings of clay may issue and the openings being narrower than the thickness of the largest particle permissible in the clean clay, and means for adjusting said spacing.

17. A machine for obtaining clean clay from a mass of clay containing foreign par ticles, which comprises a plurality of spaced cutters axially aligned and of'progressively smaller diameter from the inlet to the discharge end of the machine, a propeller adapted to force clay7 through the series of cutters, and a sweep before each cutter adapted to prevent foreign particles from lodging` against the cutters.

18. A machine for obtaining clean cla-y from a mass of cla containing foreign particles which comprises a plurality ofl spaced annular cutters arranged in axial alignment and of progressively smaller diameter from the inlet to the discharge end of the machine, a shaft concentric with they cutters, a propeller at one end of the shaft adapted to force a mass of clay through. the series of cutters, and a series of tools one before each cutter adapted to prevent clogging of the cutters.

19. A machinel for obtaining clean clay from amass of clay `containing foreign particles Which comprises a plurality of spaced annular cutters arranged in axial alignment` and of progressively smaller diameter from the inlet tothe discharge end of the ma chine, a shaft concentric With the cutters, a propeller at one end of the shaft adapted to force a mass of clay through the series of cutters, a series of tools one before each cutter adapted vto prevent clogging of the cutters, and lugs on each cutter adapted to provide clearance spaces between the cutters through which cuttings shaved from the massV may issue'.

20. Av machine for obtaining clean clay from a mass of'v clay containing-foreignparticles Which comprisesa series of annular cutters arranged in axial alignment and of progressively smaller diameter from the inlet to the discharge end of the machine, a shaft concentric with the cutters, a' propeller at one end of the shaft adapted to force a mass of clay. through the series of cutters, and a series of tools one before each cutter ada-ptedfto prevent clogging of the cutters, means on cach cutter for providing clearance spaces between the cutters through Whiclrcuttings shaved from the mass may issue, and means for adjusting said spaces to vary the thickness of the cuttings.

21. Av machine for obtaining clean clay from a mass of clay containing foreign parn ticles which comprises a series of annular cutters arranged in axial alignment of progressively smaller diameter from the inlet to the discharge end of the machine, a shaft concentric with the cutters, a propeller at one end of theshaft adapted to force a mass of clay through the series` of cutters, a clearing 4tool beforeeach-cutter and carried by the shaft, means for providing clearance spaces between the cutters through which cuttings shaved by the4 cutters from the mass may issue, and means for collecting said cuttings.

22A' machine for obtaining'clean clay from a massof clay con-taining foreign particles which comprises a conical casing, means for forcing clay through the casing, the latter being provided' With slots narrower than the largest particle permissible in the clean clay and through which clean clay is extruded, the casing being further provided with a port at the apex thereof for the discharge of said particles;

23. A machine for obtaining clean clay from amass of clay containing foreign particles which comprises a conical casing, means for forcing clay through the casing, the latter being provided with annular slots narrower than the largest particle permissible in the clean clay and through which clean clay is extruded, the casing being further provided with a port at the apex thereof for the discharge of said particles, and means for continuously clearing each slotv of foreign particles that 'may lodge therein.

24. A machine for obtaining clean clay from a mass of clay containing foreign particles which comprises a stepped conical'.` easing having a slot therethrough at each step thereof, each slot being narrower than the thicknessof the largest particle permissible-in the cleanclay, means for forcing the mass of clay through the casing and clean clay through said slots, and means for wiping each step clear of foreign particles which may lodge thereon.

25. A clay cleaning attachment for a pug mill or the like comprising a plurality of annular cutters of progressively smaller diameter from one end to the other, means for attaching said series to the pug mill, a

shaft concentric with the cutters, a flexible connection for coupling one end of the shaft to the propeller shaft of the pug mill, and a bracket at the other end of the series of cutters for supporting the opposite end of the sh aft.

CHARLES L. CRABB. 

